HSBC Group chairman, Douglas Flint, announced the launch of the HSBC Water Programme, a new $100mn, five-year partnership with WWF, WaterAid and Earthwatch to tackle water risks in river basins; bring safe water and improved sanitation to over a million people; and raise awareness about the global water challenge. The announcement comes as a new report from Frontier Economics for HSBC reveals that by 2050, the top ten river basins by population are expected to produce a quarter of global GDP - a figure greater than the combined future economies of the US, Japan and Germany - and a sharp increase from a current contribution of 10%. The nine most populous river basins are in growing and fast-growing markets.However, the report also forecasts that by 2050, without any improvement in water resource management, seven of these basins will face unsustainable water consumption, with significant to severe water scarcity, meaning at least 30% of the natural water run-off is being consumed. This could mean the GDP growth expected in the river basins would not materialise. In addition, ecosystems home to a quarter of the global population would see further permanent damage, affecting communities’ and businesses’ ability to thrive.Flint said, “Today’s findings show that the future of river basins is critical for global economic growth. Rapid, collaborative action worldwide is needed to improve water resource management in river basins. The report also highlights the powerful economic rationale for improving access to freshwater and sanitation, at a time when total aid for water access and sanitation has actually declined. The HSBC Water Programme will benefit communities in need, and enable economies to prosper.”Blue water footprint is the consumptive use of ground - and surface water flows. When the blue water footprint in a river basin is between 30 and 40% of natural run-off, water scarcity is considered to be significant; if the water footprint exceeds 40% of natural run-off, water scarcity is severe. The HSBC Water Programme will tackle water supply and sanitation. In 2010 nearly 800mn people were without access to safe water, and 2.6bn without access to basic sanitation.The report found that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) on water supply and sanitation worldwide would amount to an equivalent of more than $56bn a year in potential economic gains between now and 2015; and that providing universal access to safe water and sanitation would imply potential economic gain of $220bn a year. Providing universal access in Brazil, India, and China alone would amount to an equivalent of more than $113bn.Frontier Economics also found that globally the average return on each dollar invested in universal access was just under $5, even after taking maintenance costs into account. In Latin America the figure is $16 while in some African countries, the capital investment would be paid back in only three years. Several countries in Africa and Latin America would stand to gain an average of more than 15% of their annual GDP from achieving universal access.Throughout the HSBC Water Programme, HSBC will share findings and insight to contribute to global understanding and best practice among NGOs, policymakers and businesses, as well as engaging its own employees.